MFR instructions place the top of the head above grade, not below grade. Twas ever thus.

I've read those instructions. Do you actually install them that way? If I did it the way the mfg suggested I would constantly be replacing them.

As Walkgood stated if they are on the corners of the driveway it is very possible that cars are running over them. If you have very much experience you can tell if damage was done by a mower blade or the weight of a car.

On the warranty I state that damage done from outside physical forces are not covered. Just materials and workmanship.

I've read those instructions. Do you actually install them that way? If I did it the way the mfg suggested I would constantly be replacing them.

As Walkgood stated if they are on the corners of the driveway it is very possible that cars are running over them. If you have very much experience you can tell if damage was done by a mower blade or the weight of a car.

On the warranty I state that damage done from outside physical forces are not covered. Just materials and workmanship.

Same with my warranty.

Honestly though when I am finished with an install I spend about 30 min going over the contract again, and making sure they understand the warranty. Basically if I pull up and there is physical damage to anything, it is not covered. This is because it was out of your controll and was not your doing, or "an act of God."

My warranty states I cover workmanship, and defective parts. Acts of God, damage by H/O or lawn compaines are not included. Also all invoices are to be paid by H/O not the lawn co. that broke it. Any reinversement by lawn co is between the h/o and lawn co.

I've read those instructions. Do you actually install them that way? If I did it the way the mfg suggested I would constantly be replacing them.

As Walkgood stated if they are on the corners of the driveway it is very possible that cars are running over them. If you have very much experience you can tell if damage was done by a mower blade or the weight of a car.

On the warranty I state that damage done from outside physical forces are not covered. Just materials and workmanship.

The image on a Hunter PGP case is a good guide. It shows the top of the head slightly above grade. That figures to change as the turf builds up, but at least you can start off with the critical cap-piston junction above grade.

Above grade installation was also the mfr recommendation way back in the days of brass popups. Grass roots can grow into below-grade heads.

Any below-grade head can hang up, and those heads are more likely to be damaged than a head a fraction of an inch above grade.

The real point about head installation is that it is not done for the convenience of landscapers. It is they who have to cope with established practice over half-a-century old. Systems are not to be made less reliable for a landscaper's convenience. The old push mowers never clobbered heads. It's the modern machines with decks that are much closer to the ground that do the most damage.

You tell em boots. What's the biz of showing up with a 42" deck on a 25'x50' lot? Large mower cuts don't look nearly as good as push mower cuts. Add compaction on top of that. I installed heads a tad above soil grade. At least in the south the grass gets more thatch which helps.